Implementation of streetlights successful — GT Accra Regional Minister
AS part of measures to beef up security and visibility at night in the Greater Accra Region, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council has implemented an operation to light up major streets in the capital, Accra.
The initiative, which began 50 days ago, based on the promise of the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has seen some principal streets of Accra having their street lights repaired across most of the 29 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
Briefing the media during a tour of some principal streets in Accra last Tuesday night, the minister described the project, which aimed to restore 70 per cent of Accra’s streetlights as having been fairly successful.
She indicated that at least 128 principal streets across 28 MMDAs had experienced good streetlights electrification, while work on some streets in the Krowor Municipality such as Baatsonaa Highway, Addogonno Highway, Odai Ayiku street and Cactus street are ongoing.
Some major streets electrified under this initiative are “Independence Arch, Angola Road, Barnes Avenue, 28th February Road, Starlet 91 Road, Independence Avenue,” all in the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly.
“In all, about 128 streets have been worked on, including some highways, town roads and community roads across all the 29 MMDAs in the region.
“I must mention that the Tema Motorway and the Accra -Tema Beach Road, which is of very much concern to the general public, could not be lighted because of the ongoing construction works,” Ms Ocloo said.
Challenges and appeal
The minister lamented the recurring streetlights cable theft in parts of Accra which had been one of the major hurdles facing the various MMDAs.
Streetlights on the Giffard Road in the La Dadekotopon Municipality working
“Throughout all the areas, there were cases of streetlight cable theft. These theft cases severely hampered progress and is one major reason streetlights are mostly off.
“I must stress that the incidence of theft poses a major setback for the sustainability of our streets remaining lighted,” she said.
She appealed to all citizens to be patriotic and safeguard public infrastructure cautioning that “anyone caught stealing these vital components will face severe consequences.
We must all be on the lookout and say something if we see something”.
Ms Ocloo affirmed that she would ensure that MMDCEs, who were the chairpersons of the District Security Communities, formulated modalities to track those miscreants.
Assurance
The Municipal Coordinator of the La DadeKotopon Municipal Assembly, Daniel Nkrumah, who was on the tour with the minister, gave the assurance that the MMDAs were prepared and well-motivated to ensure that streetlights kept functioning.
He emphasised that the MMDAs had taken measures to ensure that every single streetlight not functioning was immediately replaced to help sustain the programme initiated by the regional minister.
Mr Nkrumah expressed commitment to support the vision of the minister and President John Dramani Mahama to improve security and visibility in the region.
He expressed gratitude to the regional minister for her foresight and ambition to develop the region and the contractors for working tirelessly to ensure that the streetlights were on.
